Here are some of the latest questions asked of CruiseReports’ web site visitors – and of course, my answers to them.  Please e-mail me your questions through our Ask Jessica link!

Bon voyage,

Jessica 

Q: I have a question that you might not have heard before. My girlfriend and I were first time cruisers on the Celebrity Century. What a wonderful trip we had even though it was in the middle of hurricane season. We tried not to watch the news & weather, but low and behold hurricane Francis formed and was heading for Florida. The night before our last port of call, Key West, the captain told all of us that we would be staying at sea for 2 or 3 more days to ride out the storm.

            This would be great except for the fact that Francis was expected to make landfall in our town of Jensen Beach. I asked about getting off the ship in Key West and I was told that it would not be a problem. The next morning we were packed and ready to get off the ship, when we went to check out I was told that it would cost us $300.00 each. I explained that we didn't have an extra $600.00 readily available. I was also told that if we did get off the ship & not come back I would be arrested. I was told that it was because of the "Jones Act", I had never heard of this before.

            Governor Bush had already declared a "State of Emergency" for Florida. The town where I live & work was expected to be hit with a major hurricane. Still they wouldn't let us off. To finally get us off the ship I was forced to sign a promissory note, under duress... I'm not sure whether I will pay it or not. It is more the point of it more than anything. We would love to sail with Celebrity again, but we're afraid that they won't let us because of this outstanding issue.

            P.S. Less than 36 hours after getting off the ship I stood in the eye of Hurricane Francis, three weeks later I stood in the eye of Hurricane Jeanne, less than a mile from where I was for Francis. Between the two storms we lost little more than our roof, and besides being without electricity for a total of a month, we did okay. If you have any advice for me please let me know.         

A: Yikes!  Sounds like you really had bad luck with hurricanes this year!  Sorry to hear that.  I can understand how you would want to get off of your cruise ship. While I don’t know too much about the $300 per person charges that you mentioned, I can tell you that the cruise line did give you a straight story about the legal complications of disembarking at Key West. Under U.S. law, only American-flag ships can carry passengers between two American ports without visiting a foreign port. Most cruise ships, including the Century operate under the flags of foreign countries, so the ship must stop at a non-U.S. port at least once during a cruise.  That’s the law in a nutshell.

            My best advice to you is to contact ICCL (The International Council of Cruise Lines) at 800-595-9338 or www.iccl.org.  They might be able to better explain the technicalities of your situation.

            Good luck!

Q: We are interested in cruising in New England/Canada during the summer of 2005. My husband and I are 49 years old and quite active. We would be traveling with my parents (my father walks with a cane and only short distances). We are interested in a cruise which is about a week in length. Do you have any recommendations for us?

A: You definitely have plenty of cruises to choose from for your Canada/New England cruise this summer – it all depends on which cruise port you would like to sail from.  Ships depart from up and down the east coast from cities such as Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Montreal, and Norfolk, just to name a few.

            Luxury lines such as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (www.rssc.com) and Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com) who have smaller cruise ships,  and mainstream lines such as Princess Cruises (www.princess.com), Holland America Line (www.hollandamerica.com), Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com), Carnival (www.carnival.com), Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com) – who have bigger-sized ships – all offer cruises to Canada/New England.

            Niche lines such as Clipper Cruise Line (www.clippercruise.com) also sail there during the summer.  Keep in mind that while there are some ships that sail to Canada/New England during mid-summer, most ships sail there in the fall.

            You should be able to find a cruise on a ship that meets your father’s accessibility needs and your interests in a full plate of activities. Find an expert cruise travel agent in your area and talk to them about what you and your parents want to do. You can locate one by visiting www.cruising.org.

            Good luck & bon voyage!

Q: We are planning to take the Alaskan Cruise in June. We are trying to decide whether to take the Diamond Princess cruise ship or the Holland America Amsterdam. Any suggestions?

A: Your decision depends on how big of a ship you want to sail on.  In my opinion, Princess and Holland America are very comparable. Both have excellent reputations for great service, food and accommodations. The big difference here is that the Diamond Princess is much bigger than the Amsterdam.

            The Diamond Princess carries about 2,600 guests, while the Amsterdam carries about 1,380. The Diamond Princess will probably have more families with children onboard, if that’s what you’re looking for, and more activities and dining options.  If you want more of a low-key cruise, I recommend the Amsterdam. There’s enough to do onboard, but plenty of places to unwind as well.

            Bon voyage!

Q: We are going on a cruise to Alaska on Carnival next summer. We are looking for ratings or comments on the excursions that are offered at the various ports. There are lots and some are rather pricey. Since we are not likely to do this again, we want to get the most bang for our buck. We went on a cruise last December and found that one of the excursions was very disappointing and nothing like the brochure claimed it would be.

A: CruiseReports ratings are ship-specific, so if you send me the name of the ship you’re going to be sailing on, I might be able to give you more details on how the shore excursions were rated.  The best way to pick a great shore excursion in Alaska is to ask someone who has been there!

            Lucky for me, and you, I’ve been there! I went dog-sledding, and Glacier-trekking, and also took in the views from a helicopter and seaplane, as well as enjoyed a salmon-bake.  They were all great excursions and I highly recommend glacier excursions and anything that involves dog-sledding — it’s so much fun!

            Last summer, Carnival introduced some new  excursions in Alaska such as: Sled Dog Discovery and Mushing Camp, Gold Panning and Salmon Bake Combo, FX-11 Expedition Kart Adventure Combo, Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling Adventure, “Duck” Historic City and Harbor Tour.  I recommend the more active excursions in Alaska, as opposed to walking tours!  Alaska is one of those places where most of the shore excursions are worth it!

            Bon voyage!

Q: Can you rate the Mississippi cruises on the Delta Queen, etc? This was suggested by my brother, who I will be treating. My husband and I have been on Celebrity, Princess and Holland American and Windstar. Will I be disappointed by the amenities, food, entertainment, available space, etc? If so I will suggest a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas.

A: I have to honestly say that cruises on the Delta Queen, etc. are nothing like the ones you’ve been on.  Delta Queen Steamboat Company operates riverboats, not cruise ships.  Visit the line’s web site, www.deltaqueen.com and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.  If you love big-ship cruising, you might be disappointed in this type of cruise.  Not to say it’s bad, it’s just different.

            Bon voyage!

Q: My husband and I want to take our first cruise and are not quite sure what questions we need to ask the travel agent. Will you give me at least five good questions. We want to travel to the Caribbean in 2005.

A:  If you go to a good travel agent, he/she should be asking you the questions.  You already know where you’re going, so you’ll want to tell her what type of atmosphere you’re looking for, how much you want to spend, how big of a ship you want to sail on, etc. 

            But here are five good questions to ask a travel agent:

            1.) Are you CLIA-certified?  (If yes, it means they have been trained and certified by Cruise Lines International Association and are very knowledgeable cruise-travel agents)   

            2.) What type of passengers will sail on this cruise, i.e., families, kids, seniors, couples?

            3.) What’s included in the price and what’s not?

            4.) Can you book us travel insurance?  (Yes, and you want this)

            5.) Are there any restrictions I should know about?

            Just tell your travel agent your expectations and he/she will help you choose the right cruise. You're going to have a great time!

Bon voyage!

Q: My husband and I have cruised on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and are now booked on MSC Opera. Do you know how it compares to RCI in food, clientele, entertainment, etc.?

A: Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are two different types of cruise lines. MSC is an Italian cruise line with moderate-sized ships and a very European style. Royal Caribbean delivers a more typical American-style resort cruise experience.

            The MSC Opera is a very nicely designed ship with excellent public areas, but the staterooms are smaller than many new cruise ships. The onboard programs are generally geared to adult tastes, though there are children’s facilities onboard.

            Grandeur of the Seas is a larger ship with a more diverse range of activities but also a more frenetic pace.

            You may find more couples and groups of friends onboard the MSC Opera, and more families on RCI.  Whichever you decide suits you best, I'm sure you'll have a good time onboard!  It's always fun to try a new cruise line, especially a brand new ship!

            Bon voyage!

Q: Dear Jessica, Hello, this is going to sound like a goofy request but I hope you can help me out. My family and I just ended the cruise on the "Empress of the North" on the 5th of Sept. ( had a wonderful time) My brother in law wanted to get to know one of the stewards, pen pals at least, they talked a lot and laughed and he was too nervous to ask for her address. Her name is Kristina Nutt and if you could at least get an address to her for him that would be nice, also my husband liked talking to Ramon in housekeeping as well and we were wondering how we could keep in touch as well..Ramon wasn't able to come down at the final good bye like some of the crew could so we were unable to talk and exchange addresses with him. Our names are Lance and Diann Purkhiser and Ty Purkhiser. Thanks for your time at reading and answering this note, I do hope you can help. I thought about writing a letter to them in care of the steamboat company on the Empress but I thought I better ask you, Thanks Jessica. Sincerely, Diann

We are hoping to cruise again soon!! Have a great day!! --- D P
 

A: Dear Diann:

It's so nice to hear that your brother-in-law met someone great on the Empress of the North. As much as I would love to put him in touch with Kristina, I don't have any better a chance of doing that as you or your son do. My best advice to you is to contact America West Steamboat Co. via mail at 2101 4th Ave., Suite 1150, Seattle, WA 98121; or by phone (206) 292-9606. Ask to speak to someone in human resources. They can problem put you in the right direction, or at least pass your son's contact information on to Kristina! Good luck!!!

Q: What recourse do I have when itinerary changes (due to engine failure and weather conditions)? I was very disappointed when my first cruise which should have been to 3 islands-PR, St. Thomas and Tortola ended up 2 days in Bermuda. -- GB

A: Dear GB:

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do except to write a letter of complaint to the cruise line. The cruise lines are very careful in their brochures and in cruise contracts to inform you that itineraries may change without notice. Unfortunately, there is no controlling mother nature. But I don't think it can hurt to write them a letter. If anything...at least you'll let them know how unsatisfied you were with the cruise.

Q: Jessica - I am going on a cruise with my daughter and infant granddaughter. I have an 81 year old mother that I need to call once in a while and she wants to be able to call her husband. Is there anything out there that will allow me to make calls that are less expensive than $5-$10 per minute? -- JC

A: Dear JC:

It's definitely expensive to make phone calls from ships because they use a satellite to do so. I know -- it stinks! My best advice to you is to purchase a calling card in advance from your phone service provider, i.e.. Sprint, Verizon, etc. Sometimes it's hit or miss if you purchase prepaid calling cards in convenience stores or elsewhere....depending on your cruise destination. I've had both good and bad experiences. Another idea is to locate hotels in your port of call. It might be cheaper to use your credit card to call from a landline as opposed to onboard the ship! Hope this helps! Good luck!

Q: Could you give me some idea how Holland America Lines rates with others. My wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska and found an 18-day land/sea trip we liked. The cost is of course expensive but what you get is probably worth it. I just want to be sure the cruise lines are ok before paying the $$. If you are interested, it's tour # 28 June 28th on the Statendam "Seattle to Vancouver" Your input would be very helpful. Thanks. John McCarthy

A: Dear JM:

Holland America Line has an excellent reputation in the industry. I must tell you, though, that their longer cruises, especially in Alaska, attract a majority of Seniors. I'm not sure if you fall into that category or not, but I wanted to let you know. I can tell you that Alaska cruisetours are one of Holland America's specialties. The line has been in the area for many years and offers excellent services, itineraries and tours in the region. The service, food, and accommodations onboard are also very good! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. If you are super active though, and want to travel with a younger crowd, you should contact a cruise expert travel agent in your area to help you choose a cruise that fits your needs. You can go to www.cruising.org to find a certified expert in your area! Good luck....and have fun!

Q: Hi, could you let us know who has the best kid's programs (outside of Disney). We have a 5, 3, and 2 year old...and are interested in onboard daycare/activieties for them. -- Jorge

A: Dear Jorge:

Princess Cruises, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean all have very good children's programs onboard. Their facilities are great, and the activities they offer are top notch! Lots of fun and educational activities! The only problem with having a 2-year-old is that most lines don't allow children under the age of 3 into their programs unless they are supervised by their parents or another guardian. The children need to by potty trained as well. You should discuss your concerns with your travel agent or with the cruise lines your are looking to book. Good luck!

Q: Hi, My family is interested in taking a cruise in the next year or two. We have never been on a cruise before so we are not sure of our options. My kids are presently 8 and 9 years old. I want to take a 7 day cruise around their Spring Break in either 2005 or 2006. Which cruise ships would be best for children in their age group? Thanks for your help. Stacey

A: Dear Stacey:

Most ships are packed with families and kids during spring break time, so I wouldn't worry about them not meeting anyone their age. My top picks for you are Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess Cruises. Their kid's programs are fabulous and they'll be so busy and meet so many new friends....they won't want to come home! Most of the kids programs also offer family activities too!

Q: I'm very sensitive to motion. Which part of the ship would be best for sleeping? Thanks, Rachael

A: Dear Rachael:

The best cabin for you to book if you're worried about sea sickness is mid-ship (in the middle) on one of the lower decks!

Q: What cruise lines provide rooms for the handicapped? -- A A

A: Dear AA:

Most of the major cruise lines have a number of cabins that are handicap accessible, and most of the newer ships are very handicap accessible throughout. Cruise Lines International Association actually has good information on its web site regarding this information. You should check out www.cruising.org. Their are press releases about the topic online, as well as charts letting you know which lines are accessible. To the best of my knowledge, Holland America Line has the most accessibility in the industry...but don't quote me on that! Good luck!

Q: We will be cruising on Carnival in Dec. Is it a better deal to take your own wine and pay the corkage rather than buy from there wine list? Thank you, Bruce Aiken

A: Dear B A:

To be honest, Bruce -- unless you have a favorite wine that you can't live without, it's easier to just purchase bottles of wine with dinner onboard. I think today's corkage fees run about $25-30 anyway...which is about the price of the cheaper bottles onboard, give or take a few dollars. Plus, if you don't finish the bottle one night, they'll store it for you for the next.

Q: What site tours would you take on our Alaskan cruise to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka from September 12 to 19, 2004?  Thanks, Gary

A: Dear Gary:

            Alaska has some of the best scenery around, and cruise lines that sail there offer very exciting ways to see it all.  I’m not sure which cruise line you’re traveling with, but I can tell you that most of the lines that do sail there offer the same kinds of itineraries – unless you are sailing on a small-ship.

            That said, I highly recommend taking a dog sledding adventure!  When I sailed to Alaska several years ago, I took that excursion and have awesome memories from it. You’re transported via helicopter over the fabulous glaciers to a camp where huskies are trained for dog sledding adventures.  You actually get to go dogsledding – which is so much fun! Mush!

            You’ll be impressed with any type of glacier trek or excursion you take!  I also went to a salmon hatchery – which was very educational; and a salmon bake – which was fun, even considering that I don’t like salmon.  My best advice is to take in the culture and natural wonders as much as possible!  You’ll never forget them!

Q: We are interested in a cruise for a family of four. Our children are young teens, not infants or toddlers. Which lines offer the most options for our family?  Tamara

A: Dear Tamara:

            There are a few cruise lines I would highly recommend for your family. Carnival Cruise Lines (www.carnival.com); Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com); and Princess Cruise Lines (www.princess.com) are all awesome choices for families with teenagers. The lines have teen discos and organized activities as well as plenty of other teenagers onboard. Plus – you and your husband will have personal time with plenty of activity options, as well as family time with the kids!  Check with your travel agent on which ships are best for your family – I recommend each of these lines’ newer ones.

Q: We have never been on a cruise before but would like an informal cruise. Would you recommend the island cruises? Thank you, Caroline

A: Dear Caroline:

            You can always count on a Caribbean cruise being less formal than other cruises – but it really depends on the line itself.  Most cruise lines have gone the more casual route over the past few years, so you don’t have to participate in “formal” nights if you choose not to.  I think you’d be happy with a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com).  The line offers a casual atmosphere and many casual dining options onboard.  You do what you want, when you want.  Check with your travel agent to see which cruise line would be best for you.

Q: My brothers and sisters would like to give our parents a cruise vacation for their 70th birthdays, which are coming up in October. In doing some research, we learned we're a little late in planning the trip. I would like some recommendations for some luxury cruises with age-appropriate shore excursions (they won't be laying out on a beach), and not too long plane rides (Hawaii may be too long to sit in one spot when you're 70). Money is an object, but we want to spend enough to get them a nice room and top-notch meals. I saw in your old Q&A's that some ships are $6,000 per night. Is that the high end, mid-range, or low end? One final consideration, our parents are ballroom dancing enthusiasts. Any guidance you can provide to get us started would be great. This will be their first cruise. We're planning for seven days. Thanks, Leslie

A: Dear Leslie:

            A cruise is an incredible 70the birthday present for your parents! They’re going to love it – and you guys!  Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (www.rssc.com), Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com), Crystal Cruises (www.crystalcruises.com) and Swan Hellenic (www.swanhellenic.com) are all fabulous lines to choose from on the higher-end, and age-appropriateness. All of these lines offer top-notch accommodations, service, food and onboard enrichment programs.  The shore excursions are more educational and cultural as opposed to just hanging out on the beach.  One of the best aspects to luxury lines is that, in most cases, the gratuities and cocktails are included in the upfront price, and guests are offered an array of other perks.  All of these lines offer awesome itineraries as well….so check out their web sites or check with your travel agent for more information. Rates usually range from $500 per day to over $1,000 a day – but you can get a great deal on a luxury cruise, with rates starting around $2,000-$3,000 per person for seven days!

Q: My husband and I (both 32 years old) have a 6 month old son and are thinking about taking a cruise since it seems to be the most "infant-friendly" vacation that we can come up with. We love to be outdoors (hiking, biking, scuba, etc) but realize we cannot do much with an infant. Are there cruise lines that have more outdoor activities than others? We would like it to still be classy though (not a party boat). Any suggestions? -- Peggy

A: Dear Peggy:

            This is a touch one! There are several adventure cruise lines out there – but they don’t really cater to children, so it may be hard to do any of the activities you want with a six month old baby.  Look into Clipper Cruise Line (www.clippercruise.com) and Lindblad Expeditions (www.expeditions.com).

In general, most cruise lines don’t offer any type of children’s programs or babysitting onboard for children under the age of three.  Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) offers plenty of active shore excursions, but I wouldn’t really call their cruises “classy.” Still…you should look into the more “popular” cruise lines because they are the most kid-friendly.  Visit your travel agent to find a cruise that would be best for you guys.

Q: I'm looking at a Greek Island cruise next Summer (2005). I'm starting the search early, because my brother and his family are joining us from Australia so our two families can holiday together (in all 4 adults and 5 children aged 12-16), and he needs to make travel plans. We are looking for 7 - 10 days, preferably a Sat depart, and something that represents good value and combines the experience of a cruise with the sights and delights of the Greek Islands. Do you have any recommendations for Greek Island cruises that are particularly suited to families with teenage children? Regards, Brian

A: Dear Brian:

            My recommendations to you are Princess Cruises (www.princess.com), Royal Caribbean International (www.royalcaribbean.com), Holland America (www.hollandamerica.com) and Celebrity Cruises (www.celebrity.com). All of these lines have awesome ships with plenty to do onboard for everyone in the family.  Adults and kids will both have many activities to choose from on and off the ship!  The food, service, entertainment and accommodations of these cruise lines’ ships are all very good.  Check out their web sites and then contact your travel agent to help you plan your cruise!

Q: We are going on the RCCL's Grandeur 12/04/04 sailing out of New Orleans. We're taking my 13-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son. My question is since school will be in session; do you think there will be children of my daughter's age to socialize with? Her last cruise was during the summer on Carnival's Conquest, and there were many. What about young adults in the 19-21 year old range? Just asking your opinion since I've never cruised in December before. This will be our fourth cruise for my husband and I and first for my son. Thanks, K. Viccellio

A: Dear K. V:

            I’m sure there will be plenty of other teenagers onboard the ship during your cruise. In addition to spring break, the holiday seasons are the most popular times to cruise.  Ships sailing during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks are always guaranteed to have many young sailors onboard. Grandeur also has a great kids program onboard, so they shouldn’t be bored onboard!  There will be plenty of activities to keep them busy.

Q: My husband and will be traveling to Puerto Rico in September and would like to take our six cats with us for the 6 months we will spend in Puerto Rico but would not like to take them by plane. We live in Miami, Florida. Do you know of any cruise line that travels to Puerto Rico that will allow cats on board? What would the cost be? Thank you for your response.  Elsa Atiles

A: Dear Elsa:

            Pets are not allowed on cruise ships as passengers for health and sanitation reasons.  However, there are two ships that I know of that have kennels onboard – Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2. Unfortunately though, those two ships won’t be traveling from Miami to Puerto Rico this September. 

Q: I am going on a 7 day Carnival Mexican Riviera cruise in January. I hear that Carnival employees are constantly trying to sell stuff on ship and that there are several "add-on" expenses. About how much should I plan to spend in addition to the cost? Charlaine

A: Dear Charlaine:

            Unless you are sailing on an all-inclusive luxury cruise line, you will definitely pay for many “add-on” expenses onboard a ship. Most cruise lines include meals, accommodations and entertainment in their prices.  Optional items such as alcohol, soda, specialty coffees, shore excursions, alternative dining, gratuities, spa treatments, gambling, gift shop purchases, etc., do cost extra onboard.  Carnival has an onboard account system where you use your room key as your credit card onboard, so you don’t have to carry cash around with you.  Then you settle-up at the end of the cruise.

Q: Society Expeditions posted the following on their website. They have the same message on the phone. No live voice!! Is it reasonable to assume that: 1. Our cruise to Antarctica This Dec. will not occur with this company. 2.Our money is gone (no insurance). Is there anything we can or should do? Society Expedition’s message dated Friday, June 18, 2004, says: Although we have experienced a steady increase in bookings for our upcoming Antarctica and 2005 voyages, the general problematic situation in the travel industry has led to below budget numbers on this years summer and fall voyages. These unusually low numbers have led to financial shortages, and we regret to inform you that our mortgage holders have unexpectedly taken possession of the World Discoverer. All guests disembarking on June 18th will travel home as planned. For those passengers beginning their cruise in Nome on June 18th, their travel plans have been prepared for their return home. We are doing our best to find an immediate solution to remedy this interruption and until then we kindly ask for your patience. Society Expeditions
-- PF J

A: Dear PF J:
Here’s the deal: The mortgage holder of the World Discoverer, Sembawang Shipyard, took possession of the ship on June 18 because of debts owed on the ship by Society Expeditions. The line is currently in negotiations to get the ship back. According to the line, passengers booked on canceled cruises will receive refunds.

This situation, however, is a perfect example of why cruise vacationers and any other type of travelers should ALWAYS PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE! It’s a must. Sure, you’ll pay and extra $30 to $100 dollars per person, but isn’t it worth the security of knowing that if something unforeseen happens, you’ll get your vacation money back? I recommend a visit to www.insuremytrip.com to compare different travel insurance policies.

The future of Society Expeditions is unsure at this point, so it’s hard to say whether or not you’ll be sailing on the World Discoverer in December. But the company should notify you either way when a decision is made. According to SeaTrade Insider, Beate Hillwig, sales and marketing director in Society’s Bremen office, said that the ship has ‘a very, very good booking situation for the winter and especially for the Antarctic.’ She expressed confidence that a solution will be reached. ‘The yard needs the ship to sail and we have the passengers,’ she said.

Q: Which cruise lines sail from New Jersey to Canada.
-- Sem

A: Dear Sem:
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas will sail five-night Canada cruises from the new Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, during September and October. The ship will visit Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Those are the only New Jersey departures to Canada that I’m aware of, but there are other lines that sail from New York to Canada during the summer and fall. Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea Cruises, to name a few, will sail from the port.

Q: From 1 to 10 how would you rate Oceania cruises? Can you compare it with a similar cruise? Can you tell me which are better and worst cruises please? Can you please compare it with the Crystal, Radisson and Princess Cruises too? How is the food, services, rooms etc... The good and the bad.
-- Ruben A

A: Dear Ruben:
I’ve never sailed on Oceania Cruises’ vessels, so I can’t tell you first hand how the line’s ships compare to other luxury and premium lines in the industry.
The line’s ships used to belong to the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, so structurally you can compare the two if you’ve ever sailed with Renaissance. I do know that the Regatta and Insignia sail longer itineraries (10 days and more) in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas, and that the line also promotes itself to the upscale cruiser. So I’m sure you can expect fine dining and accommodations onboard, as well as affluent fellow passengers.

Q: I have been looking to find a ship that will be sailing out of Galveston during June and July of 2005. The only ships I have been able to find are Carnival ships. I know that there are a few other lines sailing out of Galveston right now. Have they not set their itineraries yet, or am I just not looking at the right places?
-- Michael G


A: Dear Michael:
I looked online at www.portofgalveston.com to find the 2005 sailing schedules, but only the 2004 one is posted. So I looked a little further and went to the web sites of the cruise lines that are sailing from the port this year to see if they posted their 2005 schedules. In addition to Carnival Cruises -- Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean will all sail from the port in 2005 as well. If your curious about other lines sailing from the port in 2005, you can contact some cruise lines directly or call the Port of Galveston at 409.765.9321.